The lights are back on out East, and the waiting lines at Detroit gas stations have disappeared. But Kamyar Enshayan, program manager for the UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education, was in Toronto when the blackouts occurred, and knows first-hand just how frustrating it was to live without electricity. He says there are serious messages to be learned from the incident. 'The main thing is that there is not an infinite supply of electricity. Electricity doesn't come from the wall. We are over-consuming and there isn't enough of it out there. The root problem is a cultural one, not a technical one.'

Enshayan says the answer is investing in renewable sources and making greater conservation efforts.

On Sept. 9, UNI Human Resource Services will launch a unique 'soft skills' training program for managers and supervisors called 'Soar.' A key component of Soar is a 10-session training series, dubbed 'Flight School,' which gives managers and supervisors new skills to increase their effectiveness. According to Robin Gurien, UNI training and development coordinator, this series is unlike standard training offered in the business community.

'Soar was developed at UNI for UNI staff,' said Gurien. 'Too many generic programs fall short by just dispensing information. They don't include follow up and don't stress personal accountability. UNI's program is the opposite. Follow up and accountability are cornerstones of the program. Our goal is to reinforce good techniques and change behavior where it needs to be changed.'

James O'Connor, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI clarifies name of arena

The University of Northern Iowa will now refer to its proposed sports-entertainment arena as the McLeod Center. Previously called the McLeodUSA Center, the project is no longer associated with the company known as McLeodUSA.

In spring 2000, Clark and Mary McLeod of Cedar Rapids made a lead gift to the project. At that time, Clark McLeod was chairman and CEO of McLeodUSA, a telecommunications service provider. He is no longer associated with that company. 'This gift was a personal commitment from the McLeods, and not the company itself,' explained Bill Calhoun, vice president for University Advancement. 'This name change reflects that fact.'

Contact:

Bill Calhoun, vice president for University Advancement, (319) 273-6078

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it will delay implementation of its new regulations on fax advertisements until Jan. 1, 2005. The regulations, originally scheduled to go into effect on Aug. 25, 2003, require individuals and businesses to obtain the signed written consent of any parties to which they wish to fax advertisements. The delay will give the FCC more time to consider any petitions for reconsideration and other filings that may be made on the issue.

According to Randy Hayes, UNI voice services manager, while the intent of the new FCC regulations is in the public interest, the agency forgot to look before it leapt. 'On face value these new regulations are a good thing. However, they could cause unexpected harm to non-profits, associations and organizations that routinely send faxes to their members and constituents. These rules could end up causing an even bigger mess. There's a great deal of gray area that the FCC failed to explore.'